EAST PROVIDENCE — The Northeast Amateur, being contested this week for the 52nd time at the Donald Ross-designed gem that it is Wannamoisett, ranks among the top amateur golf tournaments in the world primarily...

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Northeast Amateur, being contested this week for the 52nd time at the Donald Ross-designed gem that it is Wannamoisett, ranks among the top amateur golf tournaments in the world primarily for two reasons — the quality of the course and the quality of the competition.

For the last 20 years, the responsibility for the latter has been in the capable and conscientious hands of Denny Glass.

“It’s so exciting to have these kids here,” he said, sitting in the grille room at the club on Hoyt Avenue in Rumford.

And the “kids” — the majority of the players now are in college — are even more excited to be invited.

When the tournament’s over, many of them make a point of thanking Glass for inviting them.

“This game generates that kind of etiquette,” he said. “It’s one of the things about golf that’s great.”

What’s been great for Glass over the years, is “getting to meet these kids who are so involved in golf.”

Getting the cream of the collegiate crop to come every year to the Northeast Amateur is the result of countless hours of effort by Glass.

This year’s field includes:

NCAA Player of the Year Michael Kim, who was the low amateur at the U.S. Open at Merion last weekend, finishing tied for 17th.

Kim’s teammate, Michael Homa, the NCAA individual champion.

Defending Northeast champ Justin Shin of New Mexico State.

Two members of Alabama’s NCAA championship team, Cory Whitsett and Trey Mullinax.

Work on the next tournament begins as soon as the current one ends. Glass keeps an eye on the results of tournaments during the summer. He closely follows the collegiate scene throughout the year. In February he sends out about 60 of the coveted, 80-plus invitations the club extends.

“Communication is all-important,” said Glass, who keeps in touch with invitees via phone, text, e-mail and letter. “I try to answer every e-mail, every application, in a timely manner. The players appreciate that, and it shows we have our act together.”

No one ever would say that Glass doesn’t have his act together.

“Denny has done a wonderful job,” said East Providence native Joe Sprague, the executive director of the Massachusetts Golf Association and former executive director of the R.I.G.A.

“He spends a lot of time on this tournament,” Sprague said. “It’s a labor of love.”

After two decades as tournament director, Glass has decided his work his done and will be turning the job over to Sprague for the 2014 tournament.

“Twenty seemed like a good number,” he said. “It’s time to move the job along to somebody younger. Joe’s experience in golf administration will be invaluable.”

What are priceless for Glass are the memories he has, and the friendships he’s made, during his 20 years on the job.

One of the highlights for him came two years ago, at the 50th Northeast Amateur, when Peter Uihlein of Mattapoisett won the tournament.

“He had won the U.S. Amateur the year before and turned down playing in Hartford (at the Travelers Championship) to play here,” Glass said. “Having him win was delightful. I’ve gotten to know the family well. It was special to have him win — and he did it with a record score.”

Glass also recalls fondly the back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2001 by Luke Donald, who would go on to achieve the ranking of No. 1 in the world as a professional.

“It’s always gratifying,” Glass said, “to see our players go on to bigger and better things. It helps the reputation of the tournament.”

It was the attention to even the smallest things that has seen the worldwide reputation of the Northeast continue to grow during Glass’ tenure.

He changed the color of the jacket awarded to the tournament champion from fire engine red to blue. He also changed the tournament logo. But one thing never changed — the effort to bring the best amateurs in golf to Wannamoisett for the Northeast Amateur.

“The talent,” Glass said, “goes deeper now that it ever used to. It used to be that maybe 20 guys could realistically win. Now it’s at least 45. There are a lot of talented young kids in the game. Meeting them, getting to know them, has been the best part of the job.”

Come Saturday night, Glass’ job will be done.

As everyone involved in amateur golf knows well, it’s been a job well done.